Oil Filters

The oil filter is a special mechanism, part of the car, that removes dirt from lubrication, engine oil and hydraulic fluids. In other words, the filter cleans the oil that circulates in the engine. Engine oil accumulates various chemical and mechanical (metal shavings) contaminants, which need to be cleaned and trapped in the filter. The longevity and reliability of the engine depend on it. The oil filter is an integral mechanism consisting of a metal housing with a filter element and a special safety valve. 

The oil filter is used under quite aggressive conditions, being affected by temperature changes, chemical and mechanical substances released by engine operation, so it is important to change the filter with each oil change. Although the special paper used to make the filter element is resistant to the above effects, it is still recommended to change it regularly with the oil to ensure its effectiveness. An unchanged filter can lead to engine failures which can be very expensive to repair.

Main functions of an oil filter: 

- removes excess heat from the engine casing;

- the filter ensures that no metal or dross particles remain on the engine;

- creates an oil film to prevent friction between the mechanisms;

- reduces the noise level when the engine is running;

- Regularly changing the filter ensures smoother, more reliable and longer-lasting engine operation.

How many kilometers should I change the oil filter?

The oil filter for cars needs to be changed regularly and is recommended to be done in conjunction with an oil change. The oil filter should be changed together with the oil to avoid clogging of the oil filter. A clogged oil filter can lead to poor engine lubrication and will cause the engine to wear out faster. It is recommended to change the oil and filter after 7,000 to 10,000 kilometers for diesel engines and after 10,000 to 15,000 kilometers for petrol engines. For lower mileage, it is recommended to change them once a year. If the oil filter is not changed regularly and on time, it may lose its effectiveness over time. 

It is also recommended to change the oil filter if there are clearly visible oil stains under the bonnet, when the oil pressure light is on in the dashboard, or due to damage to the filter elements of the housing. The filter should also be changed due to deterioration of the engine and black smoke emissions.

How to replace the oil filter? 

The oil filter can be changed by yourself or by a specialist. The cost of changing oil and filters is not very high in garages, so if you don't have the knowledge, the parts and the time to do it, you should leave it to the professionals. To change a centrifugal or other oil filter yourself, you need to place the oil reservoir under the engine crankcase, unscrew the plug and remove it and the gasket. After the oil has drained out, replace the plug in the same place.

Unscrew and dismantle the filter with a special wrench and replace it with a new one. When the work is finished, fill the new oil to the specified level on the neck and start the car, after a while, after stopping the car, check the filter gasket for leaking spots. 

How to choose an oil filter? 

There is no way of checking whether an oil filter will be of good quality or not when you buy it, but you can look at certain parameters. 

- When choosing a filter, pay attention to the level of cleaning - the special cleaning paper must meet the technical requirements of the car. For passenger car engines, the filter must be able to clean the oil from particles as small as 5 microns.

- Choose the manufacturer carefully, the oil filter and its price quite often depends on the manufacturer. Therefore, do your research carefully and choose only parts from well-known brands that are of high quality. 

- Choose your oil filter carefully and responsibly. Study the technical documentation of your car and remember that even the best quality filters are not immune to wear and tear. If the filter is used in the wrong conditions, its effectiveness may be reduced and it may wear out faster. 

Choose from a wide range of quality brands to find the right oil filter for your car model at partecha.com. Use the user-friendly search engine where you can easily find the right product for your needs by selecting the manufacturer, car model and modification. 

Types of oil filters

Fully permeable filter - allows the incoming oil from the engine to pass through. This type of filter has an important relief valve that regulates the pressure in the engine lubrication system. The valve opens the access of contaminated oil to the engine assemblies when the pressure exceeds the permissible limit. The function of the valve is to prevent damage to seals and gaskets in the lubrication system and thus protect the engine from possible failure. 

Semi-permeable filter - for better oil cleaning, the engine lubrication system consists of two stages, one in which the oil circulates freely between the engine elements and the other in which a small amount of oil is filtered repeatedly. This way, the oil is not time-consuming to clean, and the filter allows the system pressure to be maintained at a certain level, even in the event of clogging of the filter and the failure of the by-pass valve. 

Fully permeable and semi-permeable filters are used in combined lubrication systems. Oil filters can be either non-removable or removable, the latter being cheaper to maintain as only the filter element can be replaced.